How to Install APK on Google TV (Streamer, Chromecast, TCL, Sony)

Google TV is Android TV with Google's newer interface on top. Under the hood it installs APKs exactly like Android TV, so the method is the same, but the settings menus are arranged differently and many Google TV devices have little storage. This guide covers the devices people ask about most: the Google TV Streamer, the Chromecast with Google TV, TCL, Sony Bravia and Hisense Google TV sets, and Google TV boxes such as onn. For USB, Downloader and ADB methods, see the main guide to installing APK on Android TV.

Steps: send an APK to Google TV from your phone

1. Make sure the TV is in full Google TV mode. Google TV can be set up as "Basic TV", which has no app store. If you see no Apps tab, sign in with a Google account in Settings to switch to the full Google TV experience.
2. Install SATV on the Google TV. Go to the Apps tab, choose Search for apps, type SATV and install SATV: Send APK & Files to TV.
3. Install SATV on your phone. Install the same app from Google Play on your Android phone.
4. Join the same Wi-Fi. Connect the phone and the Google TV to the same network. Avoid guest networks, which often isolate devices.
5. Open SATV on both devices. On the TV, open SATV from the Apps tab so it is ready to receive. On the phone, open SATV.
6. Choose the app or APK on the phone. Pick an installed app, or browse to an APK, APKS, XAPK or APKM file, then select your Google TV in the device list.
7. Accept on the TV. Use the remote to accept the incoming transfer.
8. Allow SATV as an unknown source. If Google TV says installs from this source are blocked, open the settings shortcut it offers and turn SATV on, then return.
9. Install. On the Android installer screen, press Install. When it finishes, press Open.

Install unknown apps on Google TV: where it is on each device

Menus move between firmware updates, so treat these as starting points. If you cannot find the switch, simply start the install: Android shows a message with a direct shortcut to the right setting.

Some guides tell you to enable Developer options first (by pressing the Android TV OS build number seven times under Settings → System → About). You do not need developer options to install APKs this way. They are only needed for ADB.

Google TV Streamer: Install unknown apps missing?

On the Google TV Streamer and other recent Google TV devices, the Install unknown apps list only shows apps that are able to install other apps. If the app you want to use is not listed, it cannot install APKs; use one that can, such as SATV, Downloader or a full file manager, and it appears in the list once installed. If the whole menu is missing, you are probably in a kids or restricted profile.

Chromecast with Google TV: watch the storage

The Chromecast with Google TV has 8 GB of storage, and the system plus preinstalled apps take a large share of it. After a few streaming apps it can run out, and the installer will fail with "App not installed" or a storage warning. Before sideloading a large app:

• Check free space in Settings → System → Storage.
• Uninstall streaming apps you no longer use.
• Clear the cache of big apps in Settings → Apps → See all apps → [app] → Clear cache.

Keep in mind the TV needs room for the APK file and for the installed app at the same time, so a 200 MB app may need noticeably more than 200 MB free during installation.

Install APK on Google TV from USB, Downloader or ADB

Sending from your phone is the quickest route, but the other sideloading methods work on Google TV too:

• From USB: Google TV sets usually have a USB port; streaming devices like the Chromecast with Google TV only have a USB-C power port, so they need a USB-C hub that also passes power. Copy the APK to a stick and open it with a file manager. Steps in install APK on Android TV from USB.
• Downloader: type the developer's direct APK link with the remote. Fine for single APKs only.
• ADB: enable Developer options under Settings → System → About → Android TV OS build (click it seven times), then connect from a computer. Commands are in the main Android TV guide.

If the app comes as XAPK, APKS or APKM, only a split APK installer or ADB will install it; see the XAPK guide.

TCL Google TV notes

TCL sells TVs on several platforms: Google TV, older Android TV, Roku TV and Fire TV. This method works on the Google TV and Android TV models. TCL Roku TVs cannot install APK files at all, because Roku is not Android. Check the home screen: if it says Google TV or shows the Google TV interface, you are good. We have a separate TCL TV guide with model-specific tips.

Sony Bravia notes

Recent Bravia models run Google TV; older ones (roughly before 2021) run Android TV. Both work. Sony TVs tend to have more storage than streaming sticks but are slower to process installs, so give the installer a few extra seconds before assuming it has frozen.

Hisense and onn Google TV notes

Hisense models that run Google TV install APKs exactly as described here. Hisense VIDAA models do not run Android and cannot install APKs at all; see which TVs can't install APKs. Google TV boxes and sticks sold under other names, such as onn, run the same Google TV system, so the steps and menu paths above apply.

Where sideloaded apps appear on Google TV

Apps built for TV appear under Apps → Your apps and can be added to the favorites row. Phone-only apps usually do not show there. Open them from Settings → Apps → See all apps, or read our guide on apps not showing after sideloading.

Questions people ask